High School Prom - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Expert on Cambridge IELTS 10 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–5 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.
High School Prom
Venue: 1
Number of people graduate: 2
Cost to join the party: 3
Parents can help with: 4
Requirement of dress code: 5
Questions 6–7 One Choice
Choose the correct letter A, B or C.
Questions 8–10 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
| Person | Item | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah | 8 | Department store |
| Jim | Leaflets and a 9 | Near 10 |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Grand Hotel | Sarah: What, a big function room, you mean, like the one in the hotel down the road? What's it called? The Grand? Jim: Yeah, that's the one. And to answer your question, yes. That is the hotel I was thinking of | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah asking whether Jim wants to book the room at "the hotel down the road" called "The Grand," and Jim confirms that this is the place he is talking about. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the venue being discussed for the school dance is the Grand Hotel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when Jim suggests hiring a room for the prom. Sarah asks if he means the function room at the local hotel named "The Grand." Jim agrees immediately, saying that is the exact hotel he has in mind. |
| Q2 | approximately / about 360 | Sarah: £750. Let me see now That's Emmm There's what, 300 students about to graduate? Jim: Approximately 360 actually |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah asking how many students are finishing school, and Jim replying that the actual number is around 360. Answer Explanation: The answer means around or roughly 360 students are graduating. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because Sarah asks if about 300 students are graduating, and Jim corrects her by stating the real count is roughly 360. In this context, "approximately" means "about", and "graduate" connects directly to the students finishing school. |
| Q3 | £3 / 3 pounds | So if we factor in some drinks and the other stuff, you know, decorations and that sort of thing, I guess we'd have to charge what, £3 per student | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains Sarah estimating the total expenses including drinks and decorations, concluding that they would need to ask each student to pay £3 for the party. Answer Explanation: The answer means that each student would need to pay 3 pounds (£3) to attend the celebration. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is £3 (or 3 pounds) because Sarah calculates the expenses needed for the prom party. She notes that with the room cost, drinks, and decorations combined, they would need to charge "£3 per student" to attend. The phrase "charge... per student" directly corresponds to the "Cost to join the party". |
| Q4 | drinks | Jim: Drinks and stuff. I can order the drinks from the same place as last time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jim explaining that beverages are on the shopping list and that he will order them from the same vendor as last year. Answer Explanation: The answer means liquids or beverages for people to consume at the event. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed by Jim when he discusses what items are needed for the prom. When talking about the shopping list, Jim specifically states that he will buy and order the "drinks" from the same supplier they used the previous year. |
| Q5 | less formal | But I was thinking that we should make it less formal | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah stating directly that the party's clothing requirements should be less formal. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the clothes students wear do not have to be strictly traditional or very fancy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by Sarah's suggestion about what students should wear to the party. When Jim asks about the dress code, Sarah mentions that last year students wore very fancy clothes like suits and ball gowns, but this year she suggests they should "make it less formal" so that students do not have to spend a lot of money hiring expensive outfits. Jim agrees with this idea. |
| Q6 | C | You know that last year some people said they couldn't attend the prom, because they couldn't afford to hire an evening dress or suit? The students from poor families, I mean | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that last year, students from families without much money could not go to the dance because they could not pay to rent special formal clothes. Answer Explanation: The answer means that some students did not go to the party because their families did not have a lot of money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Sarah explains that last year, certain students were unable to join the prom because they did not have enough money to rent formal clothes. She directly clarifies that she means "students from poor families." The phrase "poor families" means their parents are not wealthy or do not have much money. |
| Q7 | C | Actually, I've already checked it out. £175 for the drinks plus an extra £5 deposit | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jim explaining that he looked into the price, and the drinks cost £175. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the price of the drinks will be £175. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Jim shares the current price after checking. He says that the drinks will cost £175 this year (plus a £5 bottle deposit that they will get back). Even though they paid £150 last year, the new price for the drinks is £175. |
| Q8 | a banner / banner | And on your way why don't you go down to the department store, see if you can pick up a banner? You know something that says welcome to the high school prom | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah telling Jim to visit the department store to buy a banner that welcomes students to the prom. Answer Explanation: The answer means a large sign with words on it, used as a decoration to welcome people to the dance party. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "banner" because Sarah asks Jim to stop by the department store to buy one. She describes it as a decoration with a message welcoming everyone to the high school prom. Therefore, the item connected to the department store is a "banner". |
| Q9 | notice | Jim: OK, so you'll get the leaflets then? We need to get a notice printed next to the common room, don't forget, and let people know when and where it is | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jim talking about what needs to be prepared. In addition to the leaflets, he reminds Sarah that they need a "notice" printed to display near the common room. Answer Explanation: The answer means a printed announcement, sign, or paper that provides information to people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "notice" because Jim asks about the leaflets and mentions that they need to get a "notice" printed to inform students about the prom's time and location. The keyword in the conversation paired with leaflets is "notice". |
| Q10 | common room | We need to get a notice printed next to the common room, don't forget, and let people know when and where it is | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that Jim wants to put up an announcement beside the common room so all the students will know the details about the event. Answer Explanation: The answer means the "common room", which is a shared room in a school where students can relax and hang out together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed by Jim when he talks about where the notice needs to be placed. He tells Sarah that they must display a notice "next to the common room" to inform students about the prom's date and location. In this context, "next to" has the same meaning as "near". |
Transcript
Jim: Hi, Sarah. You know, we really should start thinking about the high school prom. We've only got another three weeks so I reckon it's about time we sat down and finalized the details.
Sarah: Yes, I know what you mean. What did you have in mind?
Jim: What about hiring a room?
Sarah: What, a big function room, you mean, like the one in the hotel down the road? What's it called? The Grand?
Jim: Yeah, that's the one. And to answer your question, yes. That is the hotel I was thinking of.
Sarah: So how much does the room cost? Altogether, I mean?
Jim: £750 for the night.
Sarah: £750. Let me see now... That's... Emmm... There's what, 300 students about to graduate?
Jim: Approximately 360 actually.
Sarah: OK, then that'll work out at ... Well, about £2 per person. Little over in fact. So if we factor in some drinks and the other stuff, you know, decorations and that sort of thing, I guess we'd have to charge what, £3 per student? But then on top of that they've got to hire their dresses and suits. And they're not cheap. My sister paid £20 for hers, and that was 2 years ago. They're going to be more expensive now. And then there's transport, although I guess we could call on the parents for that, but there's the drinks as well. I think it's gonna be too expensive.... What about the school hall? It is, after all, a graduation dance, and the school seems the ideal place. We can dress the room up. You know, make it look nice.
Jim: Yes, I guess you're right. At least it'll reduce the cost. Now what about a dress code? I mean, we can't just have people wearing jeans and stuff. Not to a school prom.
Sarah: Well, last year the boys had to wear a formal suit, and the girls were all dressed in ball gowns. They looked great. All of them...
Jim: But...?
Sarah: But I was thinking that we should make it less formal. You know, stipulate no jeans and T-shirts—we don't want any scruffs at the party, but other than that let people decide for themselves.
Sarah: You know that last year some people said they couldn't attend the prom, because they couldn't afford to hire an evening dress or suit? The students from poor families, I mean. So I reckon if we relax the dress code this won't be a problem.
Jim: OK, why not? Now about the shopping list.
Sarah: Shopping list?
Jim: Drinks and stuff. I can order the drinks from the same place as last time. We got a good deal last year, remember £150, I think they were. And that was for all the drinks. It'll be more than that this year though, of course.
Sarah: Yeah, of course. Especially after the last budget. And then there's inflation and stuff.
Jim: Actually, I've already checked it out. £175 for the drinks plus an extra £5 deposit. We get that back when we return the empty bottles. I'll pick them up on the day of the prom.
Sarah: Well, that's cheap enough. And on your way why don't you go down to the department store, see if you can pick up a banner? You know something that says welcome to the high school prom.
Jim: OK, so you'll get the leaflets then? We need to get a notice printed next to the common room, don't forget, and let people know when and where it is.
Sarah: No problem. I've already written it. I just need to get it to the printers.
Jim: Great. So let's get this lot done and we can meet again in, say, a couple of days?
Sarah: Yeah, sure. Sounds good to me. How does Tuesday sound?
Jim: Yeah, sure, no problem. I'll see you then.
Sarah: Will do. Bye.